Monday, October 28, 2013

Hwange Elephant situation

In view of what’s recently been reported in the press and
other media services, I would like to report to all our members what has been
happening in Hwange National Park with regards to the horrific Elephant deaths
that have been reported and the part WEZ has been playing to assist Parks.

As we all aware numerous elephants have been reported
poached in the South West Area of the park which boarders onto the Tsholotsho
Communal Area, as a result of poisoning water holes and lacing of salt with
cyanide.

While this initially appeared to be confined to the
Southern area of the Park, it was later discovered that the Eastern Border
Area, that bordering the Forestry Areas had also been affected with reports of
5 carcasses being found in the Ngamo Forest Area, suspected of having been
poisoned.

I was contacted about this by Sharon Pincott
(Presidential Elephants) who was very concerned that while these initial
reports were confined to the Ngamo Area, the area north of Ngamo and the Sikumi
Forest Area, could also have possibly been infiltrated, putting the
Presidential Herd at risk and she asked if there was any chance WEZ could
assist in an aerial survey to assess the situation.

I contacted Pat Cox who as we all know has been assisting
us for many years with the aerial survey prior to our Annual Game Count, who
didn’t hesitate as always to offer his plane and services to have a look at the
situation.

An initial delay owing to a problem on the aircraft
delayed us slightly, and the survey after consultation with Parks on what was
required started on Thursday last week.

The first flight which extended as far South as Lupane
covered the whole Ngamo Forestry Area and we found 3 carcasses in addition to
the initial 5 that had been reported. The second flight covered the
entire Sikumi Forestry Area and apart from an already known poaching incident
near Ganda Lodge not involving poison no other carcasses were seen.

At the initial briefing with parks we had been asked to,
after completing the Forestry Area to also check an area starting from a point
referred to as Mabangee which neither Pat or myself had heard of this area
situated on the Eastern Boundary of the Park north of Dete, and we were to then
fly in a westerly direction as far down as Guvalala and Nehimba.

At a point midway between Boss Longone pan and Guvalala
and some 2.7kms north off the main tar road to Sinamattella a further 8
carcasses were discovered which all had had the ivory removed.

These carcasses were fresh and were being eaten by
Vultures, and it was later confirmed there were in fact 11 carcasses.

At the time of the sighting it could not be determined if
these elephant had been shot or poisoned as there was no water in the area, it
was later confirmed that they were poisoned presumably using salt.

Returning to Main camp, Parks were shown photo’s given
the coordinates, and all credit must be given to them for their prompt reaction
and within an hour vehicles and men were being deployed to the spot, it was
very encouraging to see such activity.

The follow up was successful and arrests have been made with
ivory having also been recovered, unfortunately we have lost another 11
elephant.

What concerned us unlike the other carcasses found all on
the boarder and peripheral areas of the Park these carcasses were as near to
the centre of the Park as one can get, a very worrying situation.

In conclusion it was very encouraging to see how serious
Parks and the new Minister of Environment, Saviour Kasukuwere were taking this
whole issue. With the Minister insisting that after each flight, he was
to be informed of exactly we had done and seen.

On returning to Byo we have again been contacted by Parks
and asked if a further survey be done of the areas not covered, organising of
this is presently taking place and you will be kept informed of any further
details.